“I think it’s pretty amazing because you have all these employers in one place,” the business administration student said after checking out the openings at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

Like dozens of other USF Sarasota-Manatee students who attended Bulls in Biz, Jones moved from table to table, talking with employers to learn about internships and current and future job openings.

An annual Homecoming event, Bulls in Biz is just one of several ways USFSM connects students and graduates with local and regional employers.

More than 30 employers attended the after-hours event, setting up tables in the campus courtyard where students and graduates connected with local businesses to drop off resumes and pick up brochures. The event ran from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

“Bulls in Biz provides an opportunity for students to meet with local employers looking for qualified graduates and interns. We appreciate the business community’s continued participation as this event grows every year,” said Dr. James Curran, dean of the College of Business.

In addition to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, the employers ranged from accounting firms and real estate companies to hotels, restaurants, insurers, banks, health care companies, car rental services, non-profits, government agencies, a TV station, a sports team (the Pittsburgh Pirates) and a Sarasota-based holding company with multiple subsidiaries.

Kim Yochum, hiring manager at holding company S-One Holdings, said she was seeking a software engineer and web developer but anticipated openings in accounting, information technology and product delivery/sales as well.

“We like to network here, meeting the students and the seeing all the other companies,” she said. “We come every year.”

One of the largest employers in the Sarasota-Manatee area, FCCI Insurance Group has had a long relationship with Bulls in Biz. In fact, the company has hired several USFSM graduates over the years.

“The students are polite and gracious and humble,” said Patrice Say, senior human resources business partner at FCCI. “We like coming out here.”

She was joined by two USFSM alums.

Ivan Newman accepted a fulltime job at FCCI soon after graduating from USFSM’s accounting program in December 2016. He works as a tax accountant now, but expects to shift to financial accounting reporting in the near future.

“I love the environment, the people there. Everyone really cares about the work they’re doing,” he said.

He was joined by USFSM alum Craig Jones, class of ’17, who works as an associate network technician at FCCI. He ended up there after an internship turned into a fulltime position.

“Internships are a valuable way for students and employers to establish relationships that lead to successful employment,” said Lauren Kurnov, assistant vice president for student success.

The real estate company, a longtime USFSM supporter, was there looking for marketing and technology students. Along with Carter were fellow alum Hannah Veitkus and Wagner Realty president and broker/owner David Eckel, who is also a USFSM Campus Board member.

“For us, it was exciting seeing all of the young people here starting their careers,” Carter said. “Real estate is very community-involved and it’s nice to be a part of the USFSM community as well. We’ve met quite a few students and actually some of them are excited about the positions here, so we’re expecting a few call-backs.”

In general, employers commented about how USFSM students are engaged and eager to work.

Nicky Jones was among those hoping for a job lead or internship. Long term, she said she wants to land a position in the health care industry, possibly at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, which had a table set up behind her.

“I’d like to work at a hospital or pharmaceutical company,” she said. “That’s my goal, but I want to keep my options open. The nice thing about this event is that you have the opportunity to meet so many different employers.”